The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is researching the existence and extent of defensive medical practices among Irish surgeons. To this effect, we ask that you complete a 10-minute-long, anonymous survey about surgical practice in Ireland. The survey has five sections:

1. Demographics.

2. Civil Litigation.

3. Medical Council Complaints.

4 Criminal Proceedings and

5. Final comments.

Your input will help to gain an oversight into defensive medical practices among surgeons and attitudes to the current medico-legal climate in Ireland.

This survey is completely anonymous, meaning that your identity cannot be in any way connected to your survey answers, and it is voluntary, so you can opt out at any time.

This research study has been funded in collaboration with the Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, and has received Ethics approval from the UL Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (2018_02_21_EHS). If you have any concerns about this study and wish to contact someone independent you may contact: Chairman, Education and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, EHS Faculty Office, University of Limerick Tel (061) 234101 or e-mail ehsresearchethics@ul.ie’